Hundreds of suspects were nabbed during Operation Kukula of the South African Police Services (SAPS), held from 25 until 31 March. during Easter weekend.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, 870 people were arrested across the province, for various offenses. Ten were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms, seven for the illegal possession of ammunition, five for the Contravention of the Firearms Control Act, 14 for possession of dangerous weapons, five for dealing in drugs, three for possession of illegal cigarettes, 24 for illegal dealing in liquor, one for possession of counterfeit goods, one for contravening the Second Hand Goods Act and 24 suspects for possession of drugs.
Another 18 suspects were arrested for robbery with aggravating circumstances, while six suspects were apprehended for business robbery, three for robbing of residences, four on charges of murder and two for attempted murder. Seven people were arrested on rape charges and 68 on assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 26 suspects for common assault. The police also arrested 553 illegal immigrants.
Thirteen suspects were caught for the burglary of business premises, while 16 were arrested for burglary at residential premises. Seven suspected car thieves were arrested and twenty people were arrested for malicious damage to property. Seventeen faced charges for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. One wanted suspect was also apprehended.
In one of the cases, the Roedtan Police apprehended a 23-year-old foreign national linked to an armed robbery that occurred along the N11 road near the weighbridge in Mokopane on Thursday 28 March. According to the police, the 31-year-old victim and two passengers were traveling on the N11 in an Isuzu bakkie. When they pulled over for a stop, four men in a BMW stopped next to them. One of the men, who was armed, demanded their wallets. One of the victims hid his own weapon while he handed over his wallet to the robbers. When the robbers tried to flee in the BMW and the bakkie, the victim fired shots at both vehicles. They however managed to drive off with the BMW. The police caught the 23-year-old suspect in the car during a stop-and-search operation in Roedtan.
